What’s the first thing you imagine when someone says “tropical vacation?” Kicking back in a hammock on the beach, of course. Nothing beats stretching out into the comforting sway of an island breeze. It just so happens our feline loved ones couldn’t agree more! And while they aren’t as big on the swinging part, cat hammocks represent the newest feline luxury level.
Kitty Comfort
Cats look for two main things when it comes to their beds:
- Comfort
- Height
This is why you often find your kitty burrowing into the folds of your softest blankets or climbing to the highest levels of their cat tree (or both – if they’ve trained you properly). The feline brain encourages them to seek warmth, comfort AND make sure they can see the surrounding territory.
Cat hammocks often strike a nice balance between the two. The soft material invites your kiddo to snuggle in while the conforming shape curls around them. And if you find a design incorporated into a cat tree or mounted to a wall or window, you give your little hunter an unobstructed view of the living room. (Or, better yet, a glimpse of the outside world)
A Hammock? Really?
It sounds strange. Cats are so careful about their foot placement. Will your kitty STEP INTO much less sleep in a wobbly hammock? Believe it or not, you’ll find them happily diving right in!
While you WILL find cat hammocks that mimic the traditional design we know and recognize, the pet industry uses some flexibility with the definition. Most cat hammocks have a rigid frame, leaving the center of the bed loose and unsupported. When your cat curls up, the bed sags down, allowing the fabric to curl around them the same way a cuddle bed might. So while the frame may come in the shape of a rectangle or circle, it’s still considered a cat hammock.
Types of Cat Hammocks
Cat hammocks come in a few different forms. They all feature the low-slung “pocket” for your cat to burrow into, though. What changes is the framework supporting the hammock. The type you choose will depend on your cat, their size, age, and where you’re living.
- Cat Tree-Incorporated Cat Hammocks: These days, cat trees come with ALL the bells and whistles. You’ll find tubes, ramps, beds, and even hammocks. And height reaches from the knee to the ceiling. You’re only limited by the imagination (and, you know, budget).
- Free-Standing Cat Hammocks: Set on frames constructed from metal, plastic, or wood, you can set these hammocks anywhere in the house. Your cat won’t get much height, but these cat hammocks support the most weight.
- Suspended Cat Hammocks: With straps or clips, suspended cat hammocks go up almost anywhere. However, they’re designed to fit best in kennels. So unless you have one set up for your kitty, you may need to get creative with the mounting process.
- Window-Mounted Cat Hammocks: Industrial-strength suction cups hold these cat hammocks in place, giving your cat a clear view outside. You’ll need to keep this option limited to the smaller felines in your life, though.
- Wall-Mounted Cat Hammocks: If you own your home and find yourself scrambling for space, going vertical is the perfect option. Screws and brackets hold the hammock in place. Again, though, heavier cats miss out.
Choosing a Cat Hammock
Offering your cat somewhere new to curl up and sleep may improve an unwanted habit. And if your cat’s scoping out the neighborhood birds, they’re staying OFF your kitchen counter. There’s no right or wrong type of cat hammock for those situations. However, you want to keep some features in mind when you start shopping:
- Space: Have a free room? Then splurge and get a cat tree-incorporated cat hammock. But if you’re tripping over YOUR furniture, wall- or window-mounted hammocks make more sense.
- Size: You need to read through the expected weight for your chosen cat hammock. How upset will your kitty be if they jump on their new perch and plummet to the floor?
- Materials: As much as you love them, cats shed. Can the hammock go in the wash or get vacuumed easily? And is the material something your cat WANTS to sleep on?
- Maintenance: How easy is it to make adjustments? All cat hammocks shift as your cat uses them, and you’ll need to tighten posts. Is the process simple or complicated?
- Assembly: No cat hammock pops out of the box, ready to go. Make sure you’re not going to drive yourself crazy, getting it up and together. Even window-mounted cat hammocks can get tricky if you’re not careful!
Best Cat Hammocks
We focus a lot on the comfort of our dogs. Probably because our cats often seem content to burrow into our beds, couches, and laps. However, felines appreciate luxuries, too. With fleece coverings and bonuses such as attached toys, cat hammocks, let our cats know we’re thinking of them, too. So take a look at the space you have available, how your cat likes to spend their time, and how large your cat is (no cheating there). Then consider which style of cat hammock might work best. You never know – you might find more than one works out in the end!
Best Cat Tree-Incorporated Cat Hammocks
Cat trees have turned into the perfect item of cat furniture. If you can dream it, odds are someone’s come up with the reality. From small corner perches to room-spanning creations, cat trees work for kittens and households with multiple cats. So it’s no surprise they started adding cat hammocks to their creations. Whether it’s a little basket for your kitty to curl up in or a bona fide hammock to stretch out in, you’ll find cat trees that incorporate hammocks on every level.
One of the cat trees we have has two hammocks. The bottom hammock doesn’t see much use (it’s too low to the ground), but the basket? Our youngest cat LIVES there most evenings. It’s one of her favorite pockets to sleep in!
Catry offers the perfect option for households with more than one cat – or a cat who likes to keep their sleeping options open. The top perch and cat hammock both feature cat-approved fleece, which is a cinch to keep clean. The columns are sustainable paper rope – still inviting to scratch but a recyclable material that’ll hold up through plenty of scratching. Your kitty stays comfortable no matter where they choose to sleep, and they get the excitement of a feather toy when they’re ready to play.
Downsides? Unfortunately, this cat hammock is rated for cats of ten pounds or less, which leaves out quite a few felines. And, while sustainable, once the paper rope wears out, you’re left with the posts and no way to replace the scratching surface.
The Good
- Fleece fabric
- Paper-rope wrapped support posts
- Includes feather toy
The Bad
- Cats need to weigh less than 10 pounds
- Structure is wobbly
- No way to replace paper rope
Furhaven’s cat tree adds in plenty of extras to their cat hammock. The plush material stays soft and comfortable for your cat, and it’s easy to vacuum, whether you choose the silver or cream color. Both posts come wrapped in sisal rope to double as scratching posts, keeping kitty claws away from the couch. And the bottom includes a bonus grooming brush. The soft bristles entice your cat to rub against them, collecting excess hairs before they blow loose through the house. And, of course, what’s a cat tree without a bonus attached toy?
The downsides? The maximum weight this cat hammock can hold tops out around 15 pounds. After that, things get questionable. Consider placing it in a corner, too, as people noted the structure tended to the wobbly side. It’s also not the highest vantage point, though Furhaven offers other cat trees that get MUCH higher (the ceiling).
The Good
- Plush fabric in silver or cream
- Sisal-rope wrapped support posts
- Includes grooming brush
- Includes pom pom toy
The Bad
- Cats need to weigh less than 15 pounds
- Structure is wobbly
- Not very high
Trixie Pet Products offers a simple cat tree with a single cat hammock. The silky-soft plush material encourages your cat to snuggle in, and the base features the same cover. Sisal rope wraps the two posts, making perfect scratching material. You also get the bonus of an attached pom-pom toy to encourage play – when your cat isn’t sound asleep. Trixie has a few configurations with hammocks, but this one supports up to 20 pounds (which should cover most cats).
So what are the downsides? The material only comes in a single color – a pale beige, which WILL let you know when it’s time to vacuum everything. It’s also not the tallest cat hammock in the world, but if you’re only looking for a comfortable bed, you can’t beat it.
The Good
- Supports up to 20 pounds
- Sisal rope-wrapped support posts
- Includes pom-pom cat toy
The Bad
- Only available in pale beige
- Not very high
Best Free-Standing Cat Hammocks
For senior cats, cats with disabilities, or kittens still figuring out how to control all of their paws, you may not want a lot of height. Free-standing cat hammocks provide plenty of comfort without making your cat jump or climb very high to reach their bed. You’ll find different styles and materials for the frames on these hammocks. Make sure you choose something appropriate for your kitty. There are plenty of artistic designs out there that are completely impractical for a cat struggling with arthritis. Sometimes, simple works best.
When you care to provide your cat with the very best, you get them a Vea Pets Cat Hammock. The all-natural wood frame looks fantastic in any home setting, and it comes together with relatively little trouble. Clever anchors prevent the hammock from swaying excessively, so your cat won’t get seasick while napping (or while trying to climb into the hammock in the first place). The plush material invites every cat close, and it’s machine washable (who doesn’t love that?). Plus, it’ll support up to 30 pounds, which means every cat’s eligible! And since beloved cats deserve a bonus, they include a feather wand toy – just for fun.
Downsides? This cat hammock DOES take up a fair amount of space, and it’s not very high off the ground. However, it’s perfect for cats who struggle to jump.
The Good
- Supports up to 30 pounds
- Machine-washable plush hammock
- Includes feather wand cat toy
The Bad
- Fairly large cat furniture footprint
- Not very high
Best Suspended Cat Hammocks
When space becomes a premium, you need to get creative. Suspended cat hammocks take advantage of your current layout and furniture to create a cozy sleeping spot for your kitty. They ARE designed to work inside a kennel, but if you’re willing to employ your imagination, you can figure out a way to attach them somewhere else. (Unless you have a kennel for your feline, in which case you’re set!) Just watch the weight limit, as these cat hammocks don’t support heavier kiddos very well – especially if you DIY the connection points.
UsefulThingy provides a comfortable suspended cat hammock sure to appeal to any feline. The soft fleece fabric features an animal print on one side and cushy Sherpa on the other. The entire hammock can pop straight into the washing machine for easy clean-up (or you can hand wash it – if you really want). Four heavy-duty clips allow you to stretch the hammock out, supporting up to 20 pounds, and they recently upgraded the clips to reinforce them. Best of all, you get a one-year warranty with your choice of a full refund or a replacement, whichever appeals to you.
Downsides? While the clips received an upgrade, they aren’t the most durable. Don’t move the hammock around if you can help it. Also, the more your cat uses the cat hammock, the faster it loses its shape, hanging lower and lower. Keep that in mind when you choose your placement.
The Good
- Supports up to 20 pounds
- Machine-washable fleece hammock
The Bad
- Clips aren't durable
- Hammock loses shape with use
Best Window-Mounted Cat Hammocks
Cats love surveying their domains. And if you have a view of a park, trees, birds, and squirrels outside, you’ll keep your cat entertained for hours. Combining a spectacular window with a comfortable bed is the goal of window-mounted cat hammocks. They’re also perfect for homes tight on space. You won’t need to shift the furniture around to make room! As a bonus, you also won’t need a lot of crazy tools to assemble or set up the hammock. They attach to windows with suction cups, with the angled design supporting your cat in cozy comfort.
You WILL need to clean the chosen window carefully before applying the cups. Read the included instructions so you know how to prepare the window surface. And watch the weight limits – you don’t want an accidental spill from window height.
KisSealed keeps your cat lounging happily in the brightest windows. The Oxford cloth cat hammock stretches inside a plastic frame while also sliding off and into the washing machine when it’s time for quick cleaning. The oversized suction cups and steel strings support up to 50 pounds, letting a pair of small cats or one large kitty enjoy the window view. The entire cat hammock installs with simple instructions, and KisSealed walks you through tips and tricks for keeping the suction cups in place.
Downsides? Oxford cloth is durable, but it isn’t soft. A blanket over the top will make it more comfortable and inviting for your kiddo. And the suction cups require CAREFUL use. You need to have the right kind of windows and follow preparation exactly, or they’ll slide. Take a look at your windows before you set up the hammock.
The Good
- Supports up to 50 pounds
- Washable Oxford cloth hammock
The Bad
- Suction cups don't always stay
- Oxford cloth isn't soft
If you want to find a window-mounted cat hammock of different sizes, the Kitty Cot is the answer for you. Three different options support up to 25 pounds of cat. The patented Giant suction cups are rated to distribute 12 pounds apiece, and Kitty Cot is the only cat hammock with these special cups. The PVC frame supports a super-durable nylon mesh known as “Tiger Mesh.” It’ll hold up against washing and kitty claws for years to come. Add in 1/8″ steel wire, and you know this cat hammock will work – inside OR outside!
The downsides? Tiger Mesh holds up well, but it’s not the comfiest material in the world. As you can guess from the photo, your kiddo will appreciate the addition of a bed or blanket. And you need to take special care with the suction cups. They’re temperature- and humidity-sensitive (important information, considering windows come in contact with outside air). Follow the instructions carefully to prevent tumbles.
The Good
- Supports up to 25 pounds
- Washable Tiger Mesh hammock
- Patented Giant suction cups
The Bad
- Suction cups require special care
- Tiger Mesh isn't soft
Raytops knows most cat owners have more than one feline in the house. Rather than sacrificing every window, they’ve designed a cat hammock that’ll support up to SIXTY pounds! That’ll hold several fluffy friends without a problem. The breathable mesh cleans with a damp cloth, and it’ll hold up against curious claws. The hammock mounts to the window with enormous suction cups, and they’re kind enough to include a spare – just in case. And with the stainless steel cord, the PVC frame isn’t going anywhere. And, of course, what’s a cat hammock without a bonus cat toy included?
So what are the downsides? While sturdy, the mesh fabric isn’t the softest bed in the world. Consider adding a fleece blanket for your cat. Also, some people struggled with the suction cups. You may need to resort to using the included adhesive circles. If you’re renting your home, you may want to skip this cat hammock.
The Good
- Supports up to 60 pounds
- Washable mesh hammock
- Includes cat toy
The Bad
- Suction cups don't always stay
- Mesh isn't soft
Lounge Time
Nothing beats stretching out and catching up on a nap. And with cat hammocks, your feline friend can enjoy the same comfort and relaxation you can. You’ll provide comfort and a potentially new vantage point. Offering changing views creates environmental enrichment, which deflects boredom and helps prevent unwanted behaviors.
It may not be an island vacation, but it’s the next best thing!
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